Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Acts 12:12 The Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me.
ANGELS AS GOD'S MINISTERS (2)
The early Christians had the privilege of seeing God's angels from time to time. On Easter Sunday morning there were angels present at Jesus' tomb to make the glorious announcement: "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen" (Luke 24:5-6). Forty days later, at the Mount of Olives, there were angels present at Jesus' ascension to transmit God's wonderful promise: "This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven" (Acts 1:11). There is no record of any angels on the Day of Pentecost, but God did use an angel in those early days to open the prison doors and set free the apostles who had been arrested for proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ and doing miracles in His name.
But even in those early days God did not always send angels to protect His followers in a miraculous way. When Stephen was stoned to death by angry Jews, no angel appeared on the scene to catch those flying rocks or pull the body of the martyr alive from the rubble. So also when Herod the king determined to kill Jesus' apostle James, the brother of John, no angel came forward to deliver him.
Thus God's people learned that even though their God had the power to deliver them, and even though He could send twelve legions of angels to protect them if He so desired, it was not always His will to do so. Should we expect miracles? Should we expect miraculous deliverances by angels? We can certainly pray for God's help in all our needs and problems, but we must leave the answer and the manner and method of His answer in God's hands.
